Two Twisted Crowns (Deluxe Limited Hardcover Edition) (The Shepherd King, 2) Hardcover – Special Edition, September 23, 2025

Ah jeez.This is the kind of SO GOOD that stuff in your life doesn't get done because you're putting it all off to read more.I INHALED this book same as the first. Enthralled to the point I couldn't put it down, so depressed when it ended.Adored that it was a duology and complete in its story, but wrecked that it is over.Obsessed with this author and already awaiting her 2025 release.Characters are deep, interesting, mesmerizing, layered.The world leaps off the page and easy to visualize.The story is well plotted, the pacing perfect, the twists on point, the chemistry on fire.The relationships between so many of the characters is intertwined and compelling.I just can't say enough. Highly recommend.

4/5 ⭐️This book was addicting but somehow still a bit slow for me. I really struggled to follow some of the riddles. And while I loved the world building, the characters, and the action, I didn’t give it a 5 ⭐️ rating because I found it started to drag on in sections for me.Overall though, the magic in this world is so different, and it’s exciting to learn each new nuance alongside the characters. While Nightmare, the Shepard king, and Elyspth were confusing and incredibly deep characters, I found myself wishing to push Nightmare back again and bring our wonderful heroine back to the forefront of the novel.I would encourage anyone who loves a good fantasy world to dive into the saga that is the Shepard King and I dare you to try to walk away 1 book in. I know I couldn’t.

I was hesitant to read these books at first. They didn’t seem to fit my usual reading preferences, but I could not have been more surprised by how much I LOVED these books. The character development, scenery descriptions, storytelling, enriched history, and world building was incredible. I hated to put it down. I wanted to devour this book, get absorbed into the pages, and it felt like I did just that. I got lost in the pages, entranced by the story, the characters, the world, and the richness and vibrancy of it all! I wish there were more books, some way to keep the story going, more to love, more to discover, but that is because it is such a perfect story. It was a little slow to start, but I am so in love with how it developed and progressed. I truly cannot say enough about this series. Best two books I have read in years. I am absolutely buying them in hardcover and rereading them for years to come. And to all of my friends, expect copies for all holidays/birthdays/and just because it’s Tuesday… I give it 10/5!

Haven’t read a book quite this good in so long!!! Every twist and turn, every swell of emotion, kept me on my toes. Beautifully written, a beautifully told story. Absolutely amazing. Couldn’t put it down. Characters were so well done. World building top notch. Storyline was intricate, yet easy to follow. As the story unraveled, I became even more enthralled. Recommend 1000%!

5/5 StarsTwo Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig is absolutely incredible. This book sucked me in from the first page and didn’t let go until the very end. The story is dark, eerie, and filled with so many twists that I was constantly on edge (in the best way). And I loved the characters they all were so well written and made the story amazing! (Elm was my favorite) The atmosphere is just chef’s kiss—the forest feels alive, like it’s its own character, and the writing makes every scene feel so vivid and haunting. The relationships and dynamics between the characters are SO well done. There’s betrayal, loyalty, and moments that completely broke my heart, but I couldn’t stop reading. If you love fantasy with deep emotions, unexpected turns, and a world that feels as real as it is terrifying, this book is an absolute must-read. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve finished. Five stars, no question.

I'm actually surprised at how much I liked both books. They are well written, engaging, lyrical, and heartfelt. I especially enjoyed the bonus chapter in my B&N special edition. The only reason I can not give them 5 stars is because of the narrator of the audiobooks. Her voice isn't too bad, but the thing that kept irritating me was her incorrect and inconsistent pronunciation of the word hearth. She kept pronouncing it HER-th instead of the correct way of h-AR-th. I know it is a little thing, but it kept pulling me out of the story. All in all, though, they are a fantastic read, and I will be reading more by Rachel Gillig in the future.

I ate up this duology and it was delicious. It took me out of a reading slump where I had DNF'd at least 3 books prior. The characters are well thought out. The world is well developed. I wanted the story to continue, but it wrapped up very well in 2 books.